TALEEM

Transnational Alternate Learning for Emancipation and Empowerment through Multimedia

TALEEM Research Foundation was founded by Shri Subhash Chandra as a literary, scientific and charitable society and trust in May 1996.

TALEEM Research Foundation is an initiative of the Essel Group to channelize part of its creative and financial resources to address issues of national concern.

The mission of TALEEM is to provide access and opportunities for world class research and education both in residential and distance and open mode learning leading to employment and income generation, to promote and conduct research and training.

Under its auspices, the TALEEM Research Foundation has three main activities:

Research, Training and Capacity Building

Asian Communications and Creative-Arts Research Institute for Training and Information (ACCRITI) has continuously supported and promoted social science research with a focus on health, communication, micro economy, social marketing, education, social audit and poll studies. Since its inception, the Foundation has conducted a wide range of researches funded by several national and international agencies. Besides its home state Gujarat, the Foundation has worked in almost all parts of the country including north eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, in urban, rural and tribal regions of the country.

Sponsors of the research and training programmes

TALEEM Research Foundation has conducted research studies for Central Government Institutions like Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, National Institute of Social Defense, CAPART, Registrar General of India (ORGI), Ministry of Home Affairs, Space Application Center- DECU Ahmedabad.

While TALEEM has conducted studies for State Governments like Gujarat State AIDS Control Society, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Integrated Population and Development Project, Commissioner, Rural Development, Government of Gujarat, Commissioner, Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation, Gandhinagar, State Programme Director, Mahila Samakhya, Gujarat, Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited, Ahmedabad, SPIPA, Ahmedabad, Tribal Development Department, DSAG, Government of Gujarat, Gujarat Ecology Commission, Gandhinagar, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Health Systems Development Project, Gujarat Industrial Power Company Limited-DEEP.

TALEEM has also conducted studies for institutions and organizations like World Bank, DANIDA, CIDA, DFID, Harvard Institute for International Development, Canadian International Development Agency, American India Foundation , British Council Division, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, DKT International, PATH Canada, Center for International Project, Columbia Water Center India (CIPT), Save the Children, U.K, Shastri Indo Canadian Institute, Micro-Nutrient Initiative and NIPI Secretariat, UNOPS International Institutions, TATA Power, Adani Ports, ZEE News, UNFPA, UNDP, TATA Chemicals Limited, Mithapur, City Managers' Association, Ahmedabad.

TALEEM is one of India's pioneer and leading health care, media and opinion poll research institutions.

Development and Rehabilitation

After the devastating earthquake in Gujarat on January 26, 2001, the TALEEM Foundation adopted Samakhiali village in Kutch District. The Foundation has contributed more than Rs 1.5 crore towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the village.

The first step was to set-up communication links through satellite phones. Simultaneously, TALEEM set up a round-the-clock helpline facility at the Zee News office in Ahmedabad.

A Relief Fund was set up with contributions from viewers across the world. The fund was used to provide tents for temporary shelter, medicines and installation of water storage tanks at various locations. A girls' school, a children's play school, a veterinary hospital and a multi-purpose community centre were built at a total cost of Rs 1.5 crore.

Further responding to the needs expressed by the community, Chandra and his brother Laxmi Narain Goel, initiated a second phase of construction of public utilities including an overhead water tank with a capacity of 1,00,000 litres, a Panchayat Ghar, a bus stand, crematorium and a shelter for cows. In addition, the office of the District Development Officer, at Bhuj in Kutch was reconstructed and support was provided to digitize land records by way of supplying computer hardware and manpower.

Development rehabilitation activities of the Foundation have given it as distinctive position as a corporate social responsibility.

Education

The educational objective of the Foundation is to provide high quality education from primary to higher secondary and higher education. In order to fulfill this objective Foundation has taken initiative to set up institutions in Dehradun and Mumbai.

Himgiri ZEE University (erstwhile Himgiri Nabh Vishwavidyalaya) is based on the motto "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam". The Himgiri ZEE University was set up by Act No. 17 of 2003 of the State Legislative Assembly, Government of Uttarakhand and has been functioning in Dehradun, Uttarakhand since 2005. The University aims to meet the growing demand for trained human resources in various organizations so as to channel human energy towards sustainable economic and social development.

Himgiri ZEE University has been established for the vocationalization of higher education which is national in character and transnational in jurisdiction. The University is characterized by its resolve not to discriminate on grounds of caste, creed, residence, community, gender and religion.

The University offers Programmes in both Regular (on campus) and Distance Learning modes, using modern technologies for imparting quality education.

Himgiri ZEE University has its own Community Radio Station, broadcasting on 107.8 FM. It has its own Video Production Studio, which is one of the best in any institution in Northern India.The University has tie ups with University of Regina (Canada), Florida State University (USA), AMIC, (Singapore), University of Tartu (Estonia), Moscow State University (Russia) and Oslo School of Architecture & Design (Norway).

Himgiri ZEE University is also publishing "Himgiri Education Review", a biannual Research Journal, besides having its own monthly Newsletter.

For all round development of its students, Himgiri ZEE University has a sprawling sports complex consisting of Badminton, Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, Football and Swimming Pool.The Mount Litera School International

Another initiative of the Foundation has been to set up a educational institution in Mumbai. Mount Litera School International is being set up at MMRDA/BKC land of the Foundation to provide students with the happy and secure environment needed for their learning and social development.

The school aspires to the best of teaching and learning, and so ensures that all students achieve the highest academic standards of which they are capable, while being prepared to take their place as world citizens. The Mount Litera School is expected to start functioning from June 2014.

The school seeks to instill among students a love of learning, integrity of character and confidence in them to move with assurance into the future. The students will have awareness of their needs and responsibilities towards their multicultural country regardless of caste, class and creed.